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SEPTA riders fear for safety as police search for man accused of sex assaults
The Philadelphia Police Department Tuesday named Quintez Adams, 28, as a suspect in at least two April sexual assaults. Law enforcement sources say Adams, who is believed to be homeless, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a SEPTA Broad Street line train. The spike in crime has riders feeling uneasy about their safety.
PHILADELPHIA - UPDATE: Rape charges against Quintez Adams have been dropped, according to the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors have also dropped charges in an April indecent exposure at a Philadelphia hospital. The DA's office added new charges of unlawful contact with a minor in two different incidents.
The suspect authorities were searching for in connection with several sexual assaults on SEPTA property has been captured, law enforcement sources tell FOX 29's Steve Keeley.
On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Police Department named Quintez Adams, 28, as a suspect in incidents that occurred on Apr. 4 and Apr. 24.
Law enforcement sources say Adams, who is believed to be homeless, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on a SEPTA Broad Street line train last Sunday. The incident occurred between the Erie and Girard stations early in the afternoon, sources say.
Police say Adams is also charged in connection with an indecent exposure incident that happened on Apr. 4 at a Philadelphia probation office, and another indecent exposure at a hospital back on March 8.
Authorities say 28-year-old Quintez Adams is facing multiple charges in connection with incidents that occurred on Apr. 4 and Apr. 24.
Adams arrest came as police continued to investigate a number of other incidents that occurred on SEPTA property over the weekend, including two stabbings. Late last week, sources say a suspect shoved a man on to the tracks of the Market-Frankford Line at 30th Street Station.
SEPTA says it will be talking about ongoing safety and security issues when transit leaders testify regarding their annual budget in May.
Safety on SEPTA vehicles and properties has been called into question for months amid an apparent increase in violent crime.
Earlier this month, Philadelphia Councilman David Oh revealed that he would be urging the city council to withhold $10 million from SEPTA in an effort to encourage them to hire more police officers, raise wages, and make salaries more competitive with other police forces in the region.
Last fall, Oh called for city council’s committees on transportation, public utilities, and public safety to hold joint hearings regarding safety in SEPTA facilities and aboard SEPTA vehicles. In the resolution, Oh cited a number of incidents, including an alleged rape that occurred on a crowded Market-Frankford Line train in October.
On Wednesday, police confirmed that Adams was in police custody.
"Mr. Adams was apprehended by police this morning and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation," police said.